That news from the career homer king nearly floored the man who broke the
single-season mark last year.

Aaron, who finished his career in 1976 with 755 homers, even told Bonds that
he'd held the title long enough.

"Records are meant to be broken, and if you have a chance to do it, then do
it," Bonds said Aaron told him. "To hear that, shocked me. I didn't know what
to say. I actually started to shake. I had to ask him if he was serious - and
he said he was."

Bonds, who arrived Tuesday at San Francisco' spring training camp, spent two
days this offseason making a television commercial with Aaron - a spot that
jokingly refers to Bonds' pursuit of Aaron's record.

"I had the opportunity to spend a weekend with Hank," Bonds said. "This
is really the first time I've ever spent time with him."

"First, I have to get through this year," he said. "And then, there's the
next year and the next."

Bonds is coming off an incredible season in which he broke the homer record,
and also set marks with an .863 slugging percentage and 177 walks. His on-base
percentage of .515 set a modern National League record and was the eighth
highest in major league history.

"I'm nervous about this season," Bonds said. "I think the press and fans
will be disappointed if I can't do it again. I did put up some insane
numbers."